ELSA, in a very loud voice. Crosses and sits
Please sit down. I don't ask you out of politeness, but because I want to set you right in this matter—and it is much easier for me to set you right when you sit down and I stand up. I don't want people to make fun of me—I know what they say—do you understand me?
DEVIL, gets up
I do.
ELSA
Sit down, please. (He does so.) I don't want people to smile and congratulate me to my face, and laugh behind my back. I won't have it—and as you started this subject I shall entrust you with the mission of enlightening our friends out there.
DEVIL
Your confidence honors me.
ELSA
Don't think for a moment that I have taken these people seriously—I have no more interest in them than I have for yesterday's newspaper. But I don't choose to have them think that they have fooled me into marrying Karl. And—